Rick Schroder Faces Backlash Over Dolly Parton Tribute and Vaccine/Trans Rights Talk

NYPD Blue star Rick Schroder sparked online backlash after using a Dolly Parton tribute to revisit their political differences over transgender rights and COVID-19 vaccines; he wrote that he disagreed with Parton’s views but still loved her. Parton’s death was reportedly announced by her nephew in a video on Instagram, prompting further attention to the musician’s legacy and advocacy. Parton had previously supported LGBTQ causes and funded vaccine research, and Schroder had acted as Parton’s father in two TV movies.